Perry arraignment set for Friday

Updated 7:29 pm, Monday, August 18, 2014

AUSTIN — An Aug. 22 arraignment date was set Monday for Gov. Rick Perry, according to court sources, in a case in which Texas' longest-serving governor was been indicted on two felony counts of abusing his power.

Perry doesn't have to appear at an arraignment. But he will need to be booked, and his legal team said Monday that he'll make no secret of that.

“There will of course be a point where Governor Perry will have to appear. That's not going to be something that we keep you in the dark about. That's going to be something when he goes in to be booked and take his picture that we're going to let you know about,” said Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who is leading a high-powered legal team announced Monday that is strongly defending his actions.

A $25,000 personal recognizance bond has been set for Perry.

The case involves Perry's threat last year to veto funding for a public corruption unit overseen by Democratic Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg unless she resigned in the wake of a messy drunken-driving arrest.

Lehmberg didn't resign, and the Republican governor vetoed the money, saying she had lost the public's confidence.

Texans for Public Justice, a liberal government accountability group, filed a complaint against Perry, saying he was wrong to use his power to try to oust a locally elected official.

Perry was indicted Friday on one count of abuse of official capacity, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years in prison, and one count of coercion of a public servant, a third-degree felony carrying a punishment of two to 10 years in prison.

Perry and his lawyers have called the indictment outrageous, saying he acted properly.

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Photo: Laura Skelding / Associated Press

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Gov. Rick Perry responds to his indictment on charges of coercion of a public servant and abuse of his official capacity. The indictment appears to be a troubling use of the criminal jusice system for political reasons. less

Gov. Rick Perry responds to his indictment on charges of coercion of a public servant and abuse of his official capacity. The indictment appears to be a troubling use of the criminal jusice system for political ... more

Photo: Laura Skelding / Associated Press

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Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee of The BUZBEE Law Firm

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee of The BUZBEE Law Firm

Photo: DirectToArchive

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Gov. Rick Perry's indictment on two felony charges Friday set off a maelstrom of reactions from elected officials and political insiders. Scroll through the slideshow to see what Republicans and Democrats had to say about the charges. less

Gov. Rick Perry's indictment on two felony charges Friday set off a maelstrom of reactions from elected officials and political insiders. Scroll through the slideshow to see what Republicans and Democrats had ... more

“Unfortunately, there has been a sad history of the Travis County District Attorney’s Office engaging in politically-motivated prosecutions, and this latest indictment of the governor is extremely questionable,” Cruz said in a Facebook post.

“Rick Perry is a friend, he’s a man of integrity – I am proud to stand with Rick Perry. The Texas Constitution gives the governor the power to veto legislation, and a criminal indictment predicated on the exercise of his constitutional authority is, on its face, highly suspect.”

Pictured, during his address at the RedState Gathering, Sen. Ted Cruz said conservatives are near victory in big fights like Obamacare and immigration.

“I’m disappointed with Travis County’s attempts to criminalize state politics," Dewhurst said. "As I understand the facts, Governor Perry’s acts were consistent with what any House or Senate Finance Chair would do to get the attention of a state agency.”

“The Texas Constitution gives the Governor clear veto authority, which the Legislature respects even when we disagree with some vetoes," Straus said. "That authority plays an important role in our system of government.”

“I think most reasonable people would come to the conclusion that it’s political in nature. I think most people would feel it’s not inappropriate to exercise a governor’s pergoative to not appropriate funds to a governmental authority that’s had a government official that’s conduced themselves in a way that gives the governor pause.” Munisteri said. “He has about a year and a half to the Iowa caucuses, so certainly this needs to be resolved before that.” Most Republican voters “will feel as I do – that this was politically motivated. This is not about somebody charged with taking a bribe … misusing government property. This is about a governor who said he didn’t want to agree to appropriations for a public official who had admittedly committed a crime.” “I don’t think anybody will think twice about it. Obviously, though, it’ll impact him if it hasn’t gone to trial or resolved prior to the 2016 season kicking into high gear. I think from his point of view he wants the quickest trial as possible.”

Appearing on Fox News to discuss Texas’ border enforcement surge on Saturday, Abbott said he had not looked at the Friday indictment but said he questioned how Perry could be indicted for “using his veto . . . vetoing a law and exercising how power.”

“I don’t know what to think of it,” Abbott said.

Pictured, Abbott discusses his education policies while visiting the Toyota plant on Monday May 12, 2014.

Asked whether Perry should step down, Davis told reporters: “As I said, there will be, I’m sure, more information that comes to light. I trust that the justice system will do its job, and these indictments handed down by the grand jury demonstrate that some very seriously potential crimes have been committed.”
That puts her at odds with the state Democratic Party, which said the governor should resign shortly after the indictment was revealed.

Castro tweeted, "For
the sake of Texas, Governor Perry should resign following his indictment on two
criminal felony counts involving abuse of office."

Pictured, Castro chats in the lobby as Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro readies to speak at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention at the Marriott Rivercenter on August 9, 2014.

“Governor Rick Perry has brought dishonor to his office, his family and the state of Texas. Texans deserve to have leaders that stand up for what is right and work to help families across Texas. The indictment today shows a failure of Governor Perry to follow the law," Hinojosa said. "This is systematic of a broader problem: Ken Paxton is facing a possible indictment and Attorney General Abbott has refused to rule on whether Governor Perry can use taxpayer dollars to cover his legal expenses. We call on Governor Perry to immediately step down from office. Texans deserve real leadership and this is unbecoming of our Governor.”

Pictured, Newly-elected Texas State Democratic Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa meets with members of the Bexar County Young Democrats at Madhatters Tea House & Cafe, Wednesday, June 27, 2012.

David Axelrod, former senior White House adviser to President Barack Obama:

"Unless he was demonstrably trying to scrap the ethics unit for other than his stated reason, Perry indictment seems pretty sketchy," Axelrod tweeted.

This Jan. 28, 2011 file photo shows David Axelrod, outgoing senior White House adviser to President Barack Obama, during an interview with the Associated Press at the White House. Axelrod, who is a former political reporter for The Chicago Tribune, has known the president since the early 1990s and was a driving force behind Obama's message of change during the 2008 campaign. He is a calming influence on the Obama 2012 campaign team and has helped focus on middle-class voters.

"Two pieces of wisdom: 1/2 Proverbs 18:17
In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines," Griffin Perry tweeted.

Pictured, Texas Gov. Rick Perry holds his new granddaughter Ella Gray Perry, as his son Griffin, right, Ella Gray's father stands close by. less

Griffin Perry, son of Rick and Anita Perry:

"Two pieces of wisdom: 1/2 Proverbs 18:17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines," Griffin Perry ... more

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Public officials are not infallible, and sometimes they get caught by the law. Here are some notable examples.

Public officials are not infallible, and sometimes they get caught by the law. Here are some notable examples.

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Bexar County Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin Wolff was arrested at about 3 a.m. Sunday, July 31, 2016, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. He plead no contest to the Class B misdemeanor DWI charge.

Bexar County Precinct 3 Commissioner Kevin Wolff was arrested at about 3 a.m. Sunday, July 31, 2016, on a charge of driving while intoxicated. He plead no contest to the Class B misdemeanor DWI charge.

Photo: Bexar County Sheriff’s Office

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David Scott Glickler, a county court-at-law judge in Hays County, was arrested on May 26, 2015, on a drunken driving charge. On May 5, 2016, Glickler pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three days in jail.

David Scott Glickler, a county court-at-law judge in Hays County, was arrested on May 26, 2015, on a drunken driving charge. On May 5, 2016, Glickler pleaded no contest and was sentenced to three days in jail.

Photo: Hays County Jail

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13th Court of Appeals judge Nora Longoria was arrested on suspicion of DWI on July 12, 2014 in McAllen. She was charged with speeding, while a second charge, driving while intoxicated, was dismissed by an outgoing Hidalgo County district attorney in 2014. In July 2016, she submitted a petition to have the DWI arrest expunged from her record. less

13th Court of Appeals judge Nora Longoria was arrested on suspicion of DWI on July 12, 2014 in McAllen. She was charged with speeding, while a second charge, driving while intoxicated, was dismissed by an ... more

Photo: Courtesy, McAllen Police

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Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg pleaded guilty to drunken driving on Friday, April 19, 2013, in court in Austin, Texas. Lehmberg was sentenced to 45 days in jail and declined to resign after her drunken-driving incident. less

Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg pleaded guilty to drunken driving on Friday, April 19, 2013, in court in Austin, Texas. Lehmberg was sentenced to 45 days in jail and declined to resign after ... more

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Tim Wright, a 70-year-old Williamson County court-at-law judge, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in August 2015 for illegally selling more than 60 firearms, dozens of which wound up in the hands of men smuggling the guns into Mexico. U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ordered that Wright serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence, according to a previous report. less

Tim Wright, a 70-year-old Williamson County court-at-law judge, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in August 2015 for illegally selling more than 60 firearms, dozens of which wound up in the hands of ... more

Photo: Courtesy Of Williamson County

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Steve Canava, a 51-year-old deputy constable for McLennan County, was arrested on Feb. 27, 2015, for allegedly soliciting a prostitute under the age of 18. McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara told the Waco Tribune-Herald that Canava has been an officer for "many years." Canava was later placed on deferred misdemeanor probation for two years after pleading guilty, according to the Waco newspaper. less

Steve Canava, a 51-year-old deputy constable for McLennan County, was arrested on Feb. 27, 2015, for allegedly soliciting a prostitute under the age of 18. McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara told the Waco ... more

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John Chambers, Indian Lake Police Department chief, was convicted on 14 felony counts of tampering with governmental records and was placed on five years' probation on Jan. 8, 2016. An indictment accused Chambers of knowingly making a false entry in a governmental record regarding firearms qualifications for some of his officers, according to a previous report. less

John Chambers, Indian Lake Police Department chief, was convicted on 14 felony counts of tampering with governmental records and was placed on five years' probation on Jan. 8, 2016. An indictment accused ... more

Photo: Cameron County Jail

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Former Webb County Commissioner Mike Montemayor was sentenced to more than six years in prison in January 2015 for taking bribes in the form of cash and electronics from an undercover FBI agent posing as a businessman. less

Former Webb County Commissioner Mike Montemayor was sentenced to more than six years in prison in January 2015 for taking bribes in the form of cash and electronics from an undercover FBI agent posing as a ... more

Photo: CUATE SANTOS

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Brownsville Police Officer Ruben Castillo was charged with state-jail felony theft and forgery in December 2014, according to a previous report.

Brownsville Police Officer Ruben Castillo was charged with state-jail felony theft and forgery in December 2014, according to a previous report.

Photo: Brownsville Police Department

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Harlingen Police Department Sgt. Robert Ahrens was indicted on Dec. 17, 2014, for allegedly laundering $1,500 to $20,000 in drug money. He accepted a plea deal in January 2016 to avoid jail time, and was placed on five years' probation, according to KRGV. less

Harlingen Police Department Sgt. Robert Ahrens was indicted on Dec. 17, 2014, for allegedly laundering $1,500 to $20,000 in drug money. He accepted a plea deal in January 2016 to avoid jail time, and was ... more

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Former Maverick County Commissioner Rodolfo Heredia was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for one count of receiving a bribe in February 2015. He also admitted to bid-rigging.

Former Maverick County Commissioner Rodolfo Heredia was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for one count of receiving a bribe in February 2015. He also admitted to bid-rigging.

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Governor Rick Perry was indicted on Aug. 15, 2014, on power and coercion charges, after being accused of abusing his veto power to try to force out the Democratic Travis County district attorney in the wake of her messy drunken-driving arrest, a previous report states. Texas' highest criminal court tossed the case in February. less

Governor Rick Perry was indicted on Aug. 15, 2014, on power and coercion charges, after being accused of abusing his veto power to try to force out the Democratic Travis County district attorney in the wake of ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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43rd U.S. President George W. Bush was arrested on Sept. 4, 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol. It was revealed just days before the 2000 presidential election.

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Photo: Robin Jerstad / For The Express-News

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San Marcos police officer James Palermo was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant, after allegedly roughing up and wrongfully arresting a 22-year-old woman, in July 2013.

San Marcos police officer James Palermo was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant, after allegedly roughing up and wrongfully arresting a 22-year-old woman, in July 2013.

Photo: COURTESY

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Former Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino pleaded guilty in April 2014 to money laundering. He was sentenced to five years in prison on July 17, 2014.

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Photo: Gabe Hernandez, Associated Press

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Former Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins was arrested after marijuana was found in his hotel room in College Station. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in February 2013 and was placed on six months deferred adjudication, fined $1,000 and ordered to perform 40 hours of community service. less

Former Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins was arrested after marijuana was found in his hotel room in College Station. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge in February 2013 and was ... more

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Former 404th state District Judge Abel Limas, who turned his courtroom into a money-making operation, was sentenced Aug. 21, 2013, to six years in prison followed by three years of unsupervised release on one count of racketeering in Brownsville. less

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In August 2013, former State Rep. Jose Santiago "Jim" Solis was convicted of aiding and abetting the extortion by former state district judge Abel Corral Limas and sentenced to 47 months in federal prison.

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Former Kaufman County Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace and convicted killer Eric Williams was sentenced to death after slaying Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse on Jan. 31, 2013, and District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife, Cynthia, on March 30, 2013, in a revenge plot. Williams' wife was sentenced to 40 years in prison. less

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